Yachting is relatively new to Guyana, but the industry has been rapidly expanding.
General Information
Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America; much of the dialect is similar to that of the Caribbean islands. Guyana lies between latitude 1° and 9° north, and longitude 57° and 61° west. In area, Guyana encompasses 83,000 square miles (roughly 480 miles long and 240 miles wide, and roughly the size and shape of Nebraska or Kansas). The country has four distinct geographical areas: the coastal belt, the forested region, the savannah zone, and the sandy zone. Over 80 percent of the land area is still forested, and only 2.5 percent is cultivated. The country's coastline lies 1 to 1.5 meters below sea level at high tide, necessitating elaborate systems of drainage canals. The main rivers are the Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice.] Click for more information >>
The climate is tropical: hot and humid, but moderated by northeast tradewinds. The mean annual temperature is 27.5°C, ranging from 20 to 34°C in the coastal areas to 18 to 40°C in the interior. The rainy seasons are November through January, and May through June. The dry seasons are July through October, and February through April.
"When we were there, in March 2004, the nighttime temperature was very pleasant, and there was an occasional shower at night. Daytime temperatures were comfortable on cloudy days, and quite warm, but not unbearable, on sunny days. A northeast wind of 10 to 20 mph usually prevailed in the afternoon, providing welcome cooling. An afternoon shower, lasting 20 to 30 minutes, usually materialized between 2 and 4 PM. "--comment from Mr. Cooley's Visit.] Click for more information >>
The Essequibo River is the largest river between the Amazon and the Orinoco rivers, and the longest in Guyana. It originates in the southern tip of the country, with its headwaters in the Acarai Mountains on the Brazilian border. It flows north for about 630 miles (1,000 km) to empty into the Atlantic Ocean 13 miles (21 km) from Georgetown, the capital. Its estuary, 20 miles (32 km) wide, is obstructed by islands, silt and sandbars, but is navigable by small ocean vessels to Bartica, 30 to 35 nautical miles (80 km) inland.
Security
Exercise the same safety precautions as you would in any city or unfamiliar environment. Most areas are safe on foot by day, or by taxi at night. Be on your guard when walking through crowds, and don't venture on foot into low-income neighborhoods. Don't wear expensive or flashy jewelry. Most persons however,have reported not feeling a security threat, whether in the city or in the country.
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Health
The tourist information indicates there is a risk of malaria in certain parts of the Guyanese interior. As a precaution, use a preventative course of anti-malaria tablets (Lariam 250 mg), a week before arriving in Guyana, and continue with weekly tablets for a week after departing. Consult your doctor for additional information. Georgetown and coastal areas are reported to be malaria-free. Visitors should drink bottled water, which is widely available. Hospitals are available in Georgetown.
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Shopping
Shopping hours are generally 8:30AM to 4PM (closing at 5PM Friday, noon Saturday); market hours most days are 8AM to 4PM, Wednesday 9AM to noon, Sunday 8 AM to 10AM). In Bartica many shops were closed from noon to 3PM.
The time zone is the same as Trinidad (add 1 hour to EST, and subtract 4 hours from GMT).
Cambios (exchange bureaus) are readily available. You can also use your credit card at the bank to get a cash advance. The exchange rate is roughly $1 US = $200 G. Keep your cambio receipts, as you may need them to change your money out of Guyanese dollars when leaving.
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Telecommunications
Guyana's telephone country code is 592, followed by a seven-digit number. Direct dialing is available from Guyana to any country in the world (USA direct 165, Canada direct 161, UK direct 169). Local phone cards are available at reasonable rates. Internet cafés are widely available at reasonable rates. We found that our Pocketmail (e-mail device) would not work on the Guyanese phone system.
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Radio Frequencies
Trinidad & Tobago Coast Guard ("North Coast Radio") monitors VHF Channel 16
The Guyana Coast Guard monitors VHF Channel 16
The Georgetown (Guyana) Light House monitors HF 8281.2
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Entry Requirements
Guyana has had very little experience with recreational sailors. Their entry system for yachts is based on that for commercial ships - awkward, lengthy, cumbersome, and expensive. However the government is committed to correcting these things. Mr.Christopher (Kit) Nascimento, Managing Director of Public Communications Consultants Ltd, Georgetown, Guyana ([592] 226-0240; kitnasc@hotmail.com), negotiated simplified entry procedures at a reasonable cost. Kit has offered to extend his assistance to other cruising sailors, until such time as the government officially implements simplified entry procedures at a reasonable cost.
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Extract from "preliminary cruising guide" to Guyana by MR. Jack Cooley.
It is based on a single sailing trip aboard S/V Mystic Adventure, from Trinidad to Guyana and return, in a flotilla with three other sailboats (Mood Indigo, Wind Rose, and Janus). They spent most of the month of March 2004 anchored off the Baganara Resort, on the Essequibo River, some 35 nautical miles upriver from the Atlantic, and about three miles upstream from the town of Bartica. The river is between one and two miles wide at this point. Read more about MR. Cooley's yachting experience here >>
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Charts
Nautical charts we used included:
o Imray Chart B, Lesser Antilles, Martinique to Trinidad
o Admiralty Chart 517, Trinidad to Cayenne (well south of Guyana)
o Admiralty Chart 527, Approaches to Demerara & Essequibo Rivers
o Admiralty Chart 533, Mouth of Essequibo River, Guyana
o Admiralty Chart 2782, Essequibo River, Mouth and 20 miles inland
o Admiralty Chart 2783, Essequibo River (Mamarikuru Is. to Bartica)
It would also be nice to have Admiralty Chart 483, Trinidad & Venezuela, Gulf Of Paria (including the Columbus Channel and Serpent's Mouth, south coast of Trinidad)
NOTE: The above charts are undoubtedly available from Bluewater Books, 1481 S.E. 17th St, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316, USA, tel (954) 763-6533, www.bluewaterweb.com. In Trinidad, Imray Charts are available at Budget Marine, Chaguaramas; Admiralty Charts are available at Marine Consultants, 43 Charles St., Port of Spain, tel (868) 625-1309.
Useful land touring maps are published by the Survey Division, Guyana Lands Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Georgetown, Guyana. I suggest:
o Seacoast of Guyana (& 70 miles inland)
o Tourist Routes Map of Guyana (nrmp@solutions2000.net)
Next month: Part Two, Navigation ]
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